Improvement in apparatus for guiding headers



J. STEVE-S. Apparatus for Guiding Headers.

No. 222,210; Patented Dec. 2, 1879.

I NVE NTDB J SHUA sr vE's, or srooKToN, CALIFORNIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPA'RATUS'FORIGUIDING HEADERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,210, dated December 2, 1879; application filed Totall whom it may concern.-

Be it known that, I, JOSHUA STEvEs, of

w Stockton, county of San Joaquin, and State v of California, have invented an Apparatus for caster or guiding wheel by which the movements of the header are directed.

In the ordinary headers, at the rear endofthe beam or pole, is placed a vertical post, to which is attached, by means of pins or staples, theupright, 011 thelower end of which is the caster-wheel, supportin g the rear end of said pole. At the upperend of this upright is a horizontal tiller or guiding-bar, for turningthe wheel so asto direct the machine in a straight line or turn it around.

The driver usually stands on a board on the pole, so that the tiller comes between his'legs,

and then he can operate the tiller by the movements of his body, and use his hands in moving the levers controlling the cutters.

It happens frequently-that in turning sharp corners or curves the driver will have to push the tiller way ofito one side, and at the same time have to stopato operate the lever, both operations being difficult to do at once. The tiller is then so far off to one side, and has to be held there, that the man must lean over to that side to manage it, and at the same time operate the lever. Moreover,-withthe tiller made and worked in this way, the driveroannot sit, but must-at all times stand up.

I have devised a means of guiding the header by which the driver may sit and operate the lever andtiller at once without inconvenience.

The figure is a view of my device.

Let A represent the beam or pole, and B the upright or post, on which theeaster-wheel G is journaled, the upright bein'g swiveled to the beam in any desired manner. I

At the upper endof the upright is a frame or head, D, which is secured to the upright or.

postby means of a bolt, to. From this head extend two radial arms'or tillers,E which are secured to or form part of said head, as

September 9, 1879.

shown. Between these arms or tillers is another swinging arm or tiller, F, pivoted, as showmat b, to the rear end of the head, and which may drop into the slot 0 in the crossbar 61 of the head when in a position exactly midway between the two radial tillers or arms.

By lifting it out of the slot it may be swung .on its pivot in either direction without operatpush it over in line with the outer one of the two radial arms. Then by pushing on the proper arm the wheel is guided properly, since when the wheel is at a decided angle tothe beam the beam.

When sitting down the swinging tiller F is pushed to one side, and the armsextend on fixed arm will be in line with the each side of the driver, who can use either one i to steer, as most convenient. By moving either one toward or from him the headeris guided accordingly. lnthus sitting, he can operate the lever with one hand andthe tiller with the other, since in no case is the tiller or guiding-bar off to one side out of convenient reach. "1'

. The device will be found of very great couvenience in guiding headers, sinceit overcomes oneof the most serious difficulties in this class of agricultural implements. D sit comfortably in his place, and not be compolled to stand in a confined space for the whole day. If he stands, with the vertical swinging tiller between his legs, for a distance, when he comes to'a turn he maythrow said tiller to one side, stand or seat himself, as he way it is wished to be turned.

The driver may may be controlled by either of the tillers which is nearest in line with the beam, substantially as herein described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JOSHUA STEVES. Witnesses:

CHAS. G. YALE, FRANK A. BROOKS. 

